CTA applauds vehicle recall legislation
Havis adds computing solutions to work truck, van fleets
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XL Hybrids to unveil F-150 plug-in hybrid electric upfit at NTEA Work Truck Show
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Meritor Selects Vonic Fleet Services as Service Point Partner
<img width="150" src="http://www.automotive-fleet.com/fc_images/news/m-vonic-wall-1.jpg" border="0" alt="
Photo via Vonic Fleet Services
">Photo via Vonic Fleet Services
">Vonic Fleet Services of Anaheim, California, is now an approved service partner of the Meritor Service Point program.
The Meritor Service Point program offers a network of Meritor-approved service partners. Each carries Meritor parts, which are installed by technicians trained with Meritor's technical knowledge. Meritor offers the program to top-performing repair facilities like Vonic that are known for delivering high levels of service to customers.
“Vonic Fleet Services is well-established in the southern California area and is well-known for providing reliable, quality service,” said Terry Livingston, senior director, strategic sales, aftermarket for Meritor. “These are the exact attributes we are looking for in our Meritor Service Point partners, and we're pleased to have Vonic join the program.”
As an approved partner, Vonic will have access through its distribution partners to all of Meritor's brands, including the Meritor AllFit and Green series as well as Euclid and Meritor Wabco products. Vonic will also benefit from Meritor's comprehensive training programs, support platforms, and marketing and promotional programs.
Related: Meritor Launches "Most Efficient" Drive Axle Ever
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Chevrolet to Offer Class 6 Cabover
<img width="150" src="http://www.automotive-fleet.com/fc_images/news/m-2018-chevrolet-lowcabforward-6500xd-preproduction-003-1-1.jpg" border="0" alt="
Photo of 2018 6500XD Low Cab Forward truck courtesy of Chevrolet.
">Photo of 2018 6500XD Low Cab Forward truck courtesy of Chevrolet.
">Chevrolet is expanding its lineup of cabover trucks for 2018, by adding the 6500XD Class 6 Low Cab Forward truck to its lineup that already includes Class 3, 4, and 5 cabovers, Chevrolet has announced.
With the 6500XD, Chevrolet will now offer eight cabovers through select dealers, including the Chevrolet 3500, 3500HD, 4500, 4500HD, 4500XD, 5500HD, and 5500XD. Chevrolet offers the trucks through a partnership with Isuzu Commercial Truck of America.
The 6500XD is based on Isuzu's 2018 FTR cabover, and is powered by the same 4HK1-TC 5.2L turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine that makes 520 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transimssion with power take off. The truck also offers Dana axles and a straight-rail frame.
Front and rear axle ratings come in at 12,000 pounds and 19,000 pounds, respectively. Maximum GVWR is 25,950 pounds. Buyers can choose from eight wheelbases and equip the truck with bodies up to 30-feet long.
"Our goal is to offer the best work solutions and customer care in the business," said Ed Peper, U.S. vice president, GM Fleet and Commercial Operations. "Our Low Cab Forward dealers and Upfitter Integration Group will work hand-in-hand with customers and their upfitters to spec the right truck for the job. After the sale, our dealers will be there to support customers with extended service hours and work-ready loaners."
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Economic Watch: Trucking Helps Boost Overall Employment Ahead of Fed Meeting
Job growth in the U.S. posted another healthy gain in February, according to a new Labor Department report released Friday, leading many analysts to predict an interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve when it meets next week.
A total of 235,000 non-farm jobs were added during the month, better than the 221,000 level expected in a consensus estimate of economists. This pushed the nation's unemployment rate down slighly to 4.7%, as more people entering the labor force and fewer people giving up the job hunt partially offset the gains. Weekly jobless claims remain close to a 44-year low, according to separate Labor Department figures released Thursday.
Job gains for January and December were revised slightly higher for an additional 9,000 more jobs than previously reported, for a total of 393,000 jobs added during the two months.
The report follows one from payroll processor ADP showing there were 298,000 private job gains in February -- again, far better than expected.
According to Friday's jobs report, job gains in February were strong in construction, manufacturing and health care.
There were 10,600 for-hire trucking jobs added last month, while the wider transportation and warehousing sector posted a gain of 8,800. Job losses in warehousing and storage brought down that number.
What This Means to the FedGiven comments from Federal Reserve officials, including Fed Chair Janet Yellen, it would have taken a significant downside surprise in the jobs report to derail market expectations of an interest rate increase. Even before the jobs report, the market already was pricing in about a 90% probability of a 0.25% hike in the federal funds target range, explained Nathan Janzen, senior economist at RBC Economics Research.
“We continue to expect a 25 basis point rate hike from the Fed next Wednesday,” he said. “With an increase in rates, barring some unexpected shock...attention is ...Read the rest of this story
February spike in trucking jobs doesn’t offset January decline
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